Neurologic complications of intestinal transplantation

Intestinal transplantation has become a life-saving therapy in patients with irreversible loss of intestinal function and complications of total parenteral nutrition, but it entails a high incidence of neurologic complications, which occur more frequently than in other solid organ transplantations. Neurologic complications may be surgery-related or occur postoperatively, often within the first month. The etiology is various, often multifactorial, immunosuppression being one of the leading causes as intestine transplant recipients usually need potent immunosuppressive regimens. Neurologic problems after intestinal transplantation may present with a wide clinical spectrum, mainly mild to severe central nervous system disorders. Awareness of these complications is crucial for patients' survival, since it will assist clinicians in prevention, prompt diagnosis, and treatment. This survey tackles the most common neurologic disorders and presents practice points of management which can help in the daily clinical care of intestinal transplant recipients.